Recycling electronics, raising green consciousness
Aihuishou.com, an online electronics recycling platform, will set up a number of environmental recycling stations.
This is partly in an effort to get children thinking about environment-friendly lifestyles, according to its company executive.
The Shanghai-based firm recently set up an upgraded, kid-friendly recycling station in Kerry Center, in the heart of Shanghai. In addition to providing a convenient way of recycling electronics, the company is hoping the station will motivate children to learn about the environment and make contributions to improve it.
Han Jiang, chief store designer of Aihuishou, said the recycling station is not merely a resting place for kids when they visit the shopping center, but also an interactive area to teach them to live a green life.
“By contrasting obsolete mobile phones with fast-paced and dazzling city life, we hope that more people can pay attention to the environmental pollution caused by the excessive waste of electronic devices,” Han said.
Casting aside the company’s stereotypical recycling stations of electronic devices, the one in the Kerry Center allocates a third of its area as a playground for children. It features cartoon-style chairs and cushions as well as screens playing children’s favorite TV programs.
There are also recycling bins of batteries, and acrylicmade silhouettes of the metropolis corresponding with classic, outdated cellphones at the station.
In addition, Aihuishou, together with local government institutions, also launched a project themed “low-carbon urban life” to promote effective ways of cutting back on one’s carbon footprint in clothing, eating, housing and commuting.
Sponsored by the company and the local government, the initiative illustrates China’s determination to further tackle environmental issues. In August, the Ministry of Environmental Protection issued an action plan to urge all local authorities to clean up electronic waste, as well as regular household garbage.
Jia Feng, director of the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, said it takes time to cultivate awareness on environmental protection, and “the young demographic group is of great significance.”
The solutions to some urgent environmental issues need the wisdom of youngsters, said Du Shaozhong, chairman of the Beijing Environment Exchange.
“We encourage young people to get ready for facing challenges and making a difference to current environmental ecology”, Du added.
Established in 2011, Aihuishou is one of China’s leading online electronics recycling platforms, recycling old electronics such as cellphones, laptops, cameras and assorted hardware.
In late 2016, the platform raised 400 million yuan ($57.56 million) in series-D funding from industry heavyweights such as Cathay Capital, Fortune Capital, Tiantu Capital, and JD.com Inc. To date, the company has established five operation centers and more than 200 brick-andmortar recycling stores nationwide.
Zou Shuo contributed to the story.